Mark T. Kettler
@marktkettler.bsky.social
Historian of modern Central and Eastern Europe. I study German imperialism and colonialism to analyze the relationship of ethnic minorities to the modern state.
marktkettler.com
marktkettler.com
We lost something when we stopped adapting classic literature with Muppets. Where is Muppet “Frankenstein”, Muppet “Pride & Prejudice”, Muppet “War and Peace”?
Before December officially arrives I just want to, once again, reiterate that Muppet Treasure Island is better than Muppet Christmas Carol (with a much better soundtrack) and I don’t care that some of you disagree.
November 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
We lost something when we stopped adapting classic literature with Muppets. Where is Muppet “Frankenstein”, Muppet “Pride & Prejudice”, Muppet “War and Peace”?
Reposted by Mark T. Kettler
I'm giving a talk on Monday in Berlin for those around.
**** Global History Colloquium: Matt Fitzpatrick (Flinders University) on "The Diplomacy of Colonial Cruelty: German Samoa and the Treatment of Chinese Labourers" *** share.google/s7sxXYD6xJmm...
**** Global History Colloquium: Matt Fitzpatrick (Flinders University) on "The Diplomacy of Colonial Cruelty: German Samoa and the Treatment of Chinese Labourers" *** share.google/s7sxXYD6xJmm...
Global History Colloquium: Matt Fitzpatrick (Flinders University) on
share.google
November 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I'm giving a talk on Monday in Berlin for those around.
**** Global History Colloquium: Matt Fitzpatrick (Flinders University) on "The Diplomacy of Colonial Cruelty: German Samoa and the Treatment of Chinese Labourers" *** share.google/s7sxXYD6xJmm...
**** Global History Colloquium: Matt Fitzpatrick (Flinders University) on "The Diplomacy of Colonial Cruelty: German Samoa and the Treatment of Chinese Labourers" *** share.google/s7sxXYD6xJmm...
Reposted by Mark T. Kettler
I will be teaching my grad seminar on nationalism next semester, and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on works concerning nationalism and internationalism. I'm open to books or articles on any region/time period. Thanks! 🗃️
November 9, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I will be teaching my grad seminar on nationalism next semester, and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on works concerning nationalism and internationalism. I'm open to books or articles on any region/time period. Thanks! 🗃️
Carl Otto Czeschka's magnificent illustrations for Die Niebelung.
August 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Carl Otto Czeschka's magnificent illustrations for Die Niebelung.
The fall semester approaches!
August 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The fall semester approaches!
Reposted by Mark T. Kettler
Folks interested in German colonialism, If you're looking for a sneak peak at my new book, 'A Pacific Power: Liberal Imperialism in German Samoa', the introduction is now free to read online for the next month. academic.oup.com/book/60083/c...
Introduction: German Samoa as Liberal Colony
Abstract. This opening chapter assesses the position of A Pacific Power in the current historiography. It describes its relationship to colonial history, P
academic.oup.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Folks interested in German colonialism, If you're looking for a sneak peak at my new book, 'A Pacific Power: Liberal Imperialism in German Samoa', the introduction is now free to read online for the next month. academic.oup.com/book/60083/c...
Reposted by Mark T. Kettler
What can a vampire story tell us about our evolving fears about modern life?
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
A Death of Despair in Wisborg – Senses of Cinema
www.sensesofcinema.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
What can a vampire story tell us about our evolving fears about modern life?
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
Reposted by Mark T. Kettler
The best book on the subject yet and probably ever
Hurray! The paperback edition of my book ‘Holding Out’ has just been published. It’s flying off the shelves, so don’t delay, buy today!
July 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The best book on the subject yet and probably ever
What can a vampire story tell us about our evolving fears about modern life?
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
A Death of Despair in Wisborg – Senses of Cinema
www.sensesofcinema.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
What can a vampire story tell us about our evolving fears about modern life?
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
Read my new essay with @sensesofcinema.bsky.social, "A Death of Despair in Wisborg"
www.sensesofcinema.com/2025/feature...
Reposted by Mark T. Kettler
All historians know the sinking feeling of tracking an "authoritative" reference back through several generations of writers to an unsourced assertion by someone nobody's ever heard of.
Now AI can make up new ones in no time at all.
Now AI can make up new ones in no time at all.
From my own academic research, even pre LLMs there was a huge danger of zombie factoids that begin in a respectable publication by mistake and then get reprinted for decades because no one is backtracing to the original source. Once bad info gets into the system it can take years to clear it out.
I've seen numerous examples of this in recent days - we're at a point where some reporters are using LLMs as a source and not even remotely properly factchecking, but also where LLM generated material is making its way into other material and being unknowingly reproduced by others.
July 30, 2025 at 8:21 AM
All historians know the sinking feeling of tracking an "authoritative" reference back through several generations of writers to an unsourced assertion by someone nobody's ever heard of.
Now AI can make up new ones in no time at all.
Now AI can make up new ones in no time at all.
I just saw this. It looks like an amazing resource for anybody who teaches on Weimar film. I know I’m going to raid it for the next iteration of “German History through Film”.
Delighted to announce that I have joined WeimarCinema.org as Associate Editor, working alongside Anton Kaes & Cynthia Walk! Followers may be interested to read the latest issue which includes a dossier on Pandora's Box by Shoshana Schwebel! www.weimarcinema.org/page/pandora...
Die Büchse der Pandora
www.weimarcinema.org
July 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I just saw this. It looks like an amazing resource for anybody who teaches on Weimar film. I know I’m going to raid it for the next iteration of “German History through Film”.
Well, I finally got around to creating an account. Follow-me if you are interested in modern German History, the First World War in particular.
July 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Well, I finally got around to creating an account. Follow-me if you are interested in modern German History, the First World War in particular.